I think you should check Firewire out. The Dominator(KDM-508R) 5'8" would be my first recommend for you. Lots of guys who have them swear by them as one of their go to boards. It has 31 Liters of volume which may come in quite handy during light wind lulls. They are introducing a new construction to make them kitesurf models lighter by 1.5 lbs. They have inserts so you can ride with straps or strapless.

The other board I would suggest is the Hellfire(KHF-510D). I have the 5'6" model but I'm about 25kgs less than you so I would say the 5'10" would suit you better. Talk to the guys on the forum, there's nothing like getting advice straight from the pros.

I'm also pretty sure I saw on their facebook page that they are running a closeout on the dominators for something like $475. It's not their 1.5lb lighter board but it has inserts for straps.

Lives2fly wrote:I'm thinking of getting a directional board for waveriding and also to use for cruising on flat water on light wind days. Will be riding with straps

I'm not sure what size to get either. I'm 80kg my skill level is at the bottom end of intermediate on a twin-tip (I can slide turn and get upwind consistently)

A mate has recommended a Slingshot Celeritas 5'8" but I would like to get some other opinions too.

Thanks

Just go with the Slingshot Celeritas 5'8 for your 80kg

The 5'11 is a bit too big/wide for your purpose - but they are great boards.

Go with the 5'8 as otherwise you will start THINKING about what the difference is etc etc - and it is a waste of time, believe me.

You CAN NOT know which board is right for you, till after some years.

And the one you are looking at, is great and allround - so instead of wasting time, get one in a hurry and get out on the water

You will see so many who either pimp their own board or brand, or give true good advice regarding what they use - but no matter what, you wont get any "wiser" by reading any of this.

IMO: Get the 5'8 and start having fun

Peter

PS: I am actually riding with brands which are a competitor to Slingshot, so I have no interest in recommending this - on the contrary...But my mates ride different brands, sponsored too but what the heck, so I know most boards and can vouch for these

I tend to agree with the thinking that says "The best directional is the one you're riding". With that said, the question you asked and the answers you've received are kind of wide open. You said you are 80KG but didn't give your height. Height plays into the length fershur, you can probably pull up the stats on any manufacturers site and kind of see about where you fit in there.

Thrusters and Quad fin setups offer different rides, and getting some feedback on that is worth while. I've only ridden thrusters and think they are great. I understand quads are awesome for riding powered up and down the line. Probably worth thinking about and getting some feedback on this.

Shape and style are worth asking and thinking about also. I bought all but my latest surfboard used kind of experimentally, kind of based on some loosely gathered info. I dug my old slingshot sst pintail epoxy board when i could ride in nuking wind, other than nuke it was too small and narrow. Had a North Pacific 6ft fish, too much volume and too fast from rail to rail for me, was an expensive demo basically. Rode a couple other boards and shapes that were fine. Really found i liked this 6'1 Rawson shaped squash tail foam core thruster a lot better than anything else I've ridden. I liked how you could tighten up on turns, it flattened out after the drop easily, took shots to the side w/out making a big deal, was fun/turny/grippy. Shape and volume made a difference to me, I just hadn't taken time to check it out.

Epoxy or foam is another consideration, but at this point probably just a headache. Epoxy will put up with kite stuff better, though I've had no problems with foam as long as it was glassed for kiting.

Lives2fly wrote:I'm thinking of getting a directional board for waveriding and also to use for cruising on flat water on light wind days. Will be riding with straps

I'm not sure what size to get either. I'm 80kg my skill level is at the bottom end of intermediate on a twin-tip (I can slide turn and get upwind consistently)

A mate has recommended a Slingshot Celeritas 5'8" but I would like to get some other opinions too.

Thanks

Just go with the Slingshot Celeritas 5'8 for your 80kg

The 5'11 is a bit too big/wide for your purpose - but they are great boards.

Go with the 5'8 as otherwise you will start THINKING about what the difference is etc etc - and it is a waste of time, believe me.

You CAN NOT know which board is right for you, till after some years.

And the one you are looking at, is great and allround - so instead of wasting time, get one in a hurry and get out on the water

You will see so many who either pimp their own board or brand, or give true good advice regarding what they use - but no matter what, you wont get any "wiser" by reading any of this.

IMO: Get the 5'8 and start having fun

Peter

PS: I am actually riding with brands which are a competitor to Slingshot, so I have no interest in recommending this - on the contrary...But my mates ride different brands, sponsored too but what the heck, so I know most boards and can vouch for these

spot on. I bought a SS Celeritas 3 years ago after hours, and hours of research online. just get a 5-8 board with a round or squash tail. take off the straps, or never put em on and toss them in the trash. I use wax and tail pad. after 5 years you might have enough experience to know what you need.

High performance surfboards designed to give control at speeds are good ones to progress onto from a twin tip, that's what I tell my students.

A simple comparison is how frickin uncomfortable is it riding a 'door' style twinny, never mind carving it around or riding it toeside.

So a board that gives good grip and control when you're stacked on your kite - like this Celeritas seems to offer - would make for an easier transition.

I also am a believer in that it's the kite not the board which is more relevant to weight; for we know that we can truck around nicely on those relatively unbuoyant twin tips already.

Just one other thing - take the straps off by all means but don't throw away. On certain days they can make the difference between just hanging on and surviving and throwing monster spray...all equipment (apart from the reel leash) has its place.

Lives2fly wrote:Thanks for the advice everyone. looking forward to getting out in the surf

I like you want to ride with straps instead of "following the hords" and mania

I've seen so many "newbees" in waves who think it is the "only" right thing to do - where real life is just opposite mostly, only a few fanatics does it around here, and only in some conditions - the rest, also the best and most experienced, ride strapped

Of course talking about our spots here - it might be VERY different at other spots I know.